Flavor generation device

ABSTRACT

A flavor generation article including a pipe incorporating a heat reservoir and a formed body serving as a flavor generation medium. The pipe is inserted in an insertion hole of a connection plug, and the connection plug is mounted in a mount hole of a socket. The socket has first and second terminals respectively connected to the two terminals of a power supply. The heat reservoir and formed body in the pipe are heated by a coil heater disposed in the connection plug. When the heater maintains a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, a projection of the mount hole is thermally deformed to be retreated. The connection plug is moved from a mount position by the action of the potential-restoration force of a coil spring and projects from a mount hole integrally with the pipe.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of prior PCTInternational Application No. PCT/JP 97/02005 which has an Internationalfiling date of Jun. 11, 1997 which designated the United States ofAmerica, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flavor generation article andinstrument employed for enjoying inhalation of a flavor and simulatedsmoking and, more particularly, to a flavor generation article andinstrument used for generating a flavor as an inhalation target byheating a material and not by combustion.

2. Background Art

A simulated smoking instrument employed for enjoying the flavor andsmoke of tobacco without burning tobacco is already known, and varioustypes of simulated smoking instruments have been proposed.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 3-232481 discloses a typicalconcept of a conventional simulated smoking instrument. The instrumentof this reference uses, e.g., a rod-like solid material. When the solidmaterial is heated by an electric heating element, an inhalation target,e.g., a flavor, is generated.

In the simulated smoking instrument utilizing such an electric heatingelement, when power is supplied to the electric heating element, thetemperature of the electric heating element is increased to heat thesolid material, so that a flavor component is emitted. Since the solidmaterial has a high specific heat, it takes time to heat the material toa temperature at which the material can sufficiently emit the flavorcomponent. For this reason, when the smoker tries to perform simulatedsmoking with this instrument, a sufficient amount of flavor component isnot emitted instantaneously.

Furthermore, in a simulated smoking instrument of this type, if a powersupply is incorporated in the instrument, the internal structure iscomplicated to increase the cost, and the instrument is difficult torepair. When using of an external power supply, if the power supply andthe smoking instrument are connected to each other with a cord, thelocations where the instrument can be used are limited, and the cord isan obstacle. Inversely, if the instrument is formed such that it isseparate from the external power supply when used for smoking, theheated state of the material can only be maintained for about one or twoinhalation (puffing) operations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,931 discloses a simulated smoking instrument using apressurized aerosol container. In the instrument of this reference, thepuffing operation of the user swings the vanes to mechanically open theoutlet port of the container, and the aerosol is emitted.

In the instrument utilizing such a pressurized flavor gas source, it isdifficult to adjust the opening/closing valve such that the flavor gascan be emitted continuously. More specifically, if the opening/closingvalve is formed to have a simple structure, all of the pressurizedflavor gas may undesirably be emitted within two or three uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, andhas as an object to provide a simple flavor generation article andinstrument which can emit a sufficient amount of flavor componentinstantaneously when the smoker tries to perform simulated smoking andwhich can be used for allowing the puffing operation many times.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article employed for allowing inhalation ofa flavor, comprising:

a casing having an air intake port for taking in air into the casing anda suction port through which a user inhales the flavor, and forming agas flow path between the air intake port and the suction port;

a flavor generation medium disposed in the casing to be exposed to thegas flow path and containing a flavor component, the flavor generationmedium emitting the flavor component upon being heated; and

a heat reservoir disposed in the casing to accumulate heat energy andheat the flavor generation medium with the heat energy.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article in which the flavor generationmedium comprises a formed body of a solid material containing the flavorcomponent and is arranged adjacent to the heat reservoir.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article in which the casing has a heatconduction wall made of a heat-resistant heat-conductive material andarranged to surround the heat reservoir, and a heat-insulating wall madeof a heat-insulating material, the heat conduction wall being disposedbetween the air intake port and the heat-insulating wall, and theheat-insulating wall being disposed between the heat conduction wall andthe suction port.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article which further includes heatingmeans, disposed in the casing, for supplying heat energy to the heatreservoir.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article in which the heating means is anelectric heater.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article which further includes means forsupplying electric energy to the electric heater.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation instrument employed for allowing inhalationof a flavor, characterized by comprising:

(a) an external heating mechanism including an insertion hole foraccepting and heating an elongated body, and heating means disposedalong the insertion hole; and

(b) a flavor generation article detachably inserted in the insertionhole of the external heating mechanism, the flavor generation articlehaving

an incombustible casing with an air intake port for taking in air intothe casing and a suction port through which a user inhales the flavor,and forming a gas flow path between the air intake port and the suctionport,

a flavor generation medium disposed in the casing to be exposed to thegas flow path and containing a flavor component, the flavor generationmedium emitting the flavor component upon being heated, and

a heat reservoir disposed in the casing to accumulate heat energy andheat the flavor generation medium with the heat energy, the heatreservoir being arranged to receive the heat energy from the heatingmeans when the flavor generation article is inserted in the insertionhole of the external heating mechanism.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article in which the flavor generationmedium is a formed body of a solid material containing the flavorcomponent and is arranged adjacent to the heat reservoir.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a flavor generation article in which the heating means is anelectric heater.

According to the 10th aspect of the present invention, there is provideda flavor generation article in which the casing has a heat conductionwall made of a heat-resistant heat-conductive material, and is arrangedto be heated by the heating means of the connection plug, and aheat-insulating wall made of a heat-insulating material, the heatconduction wall being arranged between the air intake port and theheat-insulating wall, and the heat-insulating wall being arrangedbetween the heat conduction wall and the suction port.

According to the 11th aspect of the present invention, there is provideda flavor generation article further including means for correlating anattaching/detaching operation of the flavor generation article in/fromthe insertion hole of the external heating mechanism and an on/offoperation of the electric heater.

According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, there is provideda flavor generation instrument employed for allowing inhalation of aflavor, comprising:

(a) an external heating mechanism including an insertion hole foraccepting and heating an elongated body, and first and second terminalsconnected to a power supply and arranged in the insertion hole; and

(b) a flavor generation article detachably inserted in the insertionhole of the external heating mechanism, the flavor generation articlecomprising an incombustible casing having an air intake port for takingin air into the casing and a suction port through which a user inhalesthe flavor, and forming a gas flow path between the air intake port andthe suction port,

a flavor generation medium disposed in the casing to be exposed to thegas flow path and containing a flavor component, the flavor generationmedium emitting the flavor component upon being heated,

a heat reservoir disposed in the casing to accumulate heat energy andheat the flavor generation medium with the heat energy,

an electric heater disposed in the casing to supply the heat energy tothe heat reservoir, and

first and second electric contacts exposed outside the casing andserving as circuit terminals of the electric heater, the first andsecond electric contacts coming into contact with the first and secondterminals, respectively, when the flavor generation article is insertedin the insertion hole of the external heating mechanism.

According to the 13th aspect of the present invention, there is provideda flavor generation article in which the flavor generation medium is aformed body of a solid material containing the flavor component and isarranged adjacent to the heat reservoir.

According to the present invention, there is provided a simple flavorgeneration article and instrument which can emit a sufficient amount offlavor component instantaneously when the smoker tries to performsimulated smoking and which can be used for allowing the puffingoperation many times. In particular, if the flavor generation instrumentutilizes the cigarette lighter socket of a seat of an automobile or airplane, in a house, or the like, the flavor generation instrument canhave a simple structure and can be used for allowing the puffingoperation many times without contaminating air in a small space. Thesocket of the flavor generation instrument can be made portable as faras the power supply can be ensured.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the connection plug of the flavorgeneration instrument shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, itis explicitly stated that the respective elements are now shown to scalein order to facilitate understanding of the contents.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the flavor generation article corresponds to a pipe 62incorporating a formed body 88 as a flavor generation medium and a heatreservoir 86, as will be described later in detail. The flavorgeneration instrument is constituted by the pipe 62 and an externalheating mechanism including a connection plug 32 for heating the pipe62, and a socket 12. As the socket 12, a cigarette lighter socket 12typically disposed at the driver's seat of an automobile, or at the seatof an air plane or house depending on the case, can be utilized.

The cigarette lighter socket 12 has a cylindrical mount hole 14 formounting a cigarette lighter (not shown) therein and supplying power toit. First and second terminals 16 and 18, which are connected to the twoterminals of a power supply mounted in the automobile or the likethrough lines 26 and 28, respectively, are disposed in the mount hole14. Annular projections 22 and 24 projecting in the radial direction arerespectively formed on the terminals 16 and 18 to lock the cigarettelighter.

The first terminal 16 forms a hollow cylinder having a bottom portion,and is fixed to be seated on the bottom portion of the mount hole 14. Acontact projection 17 is formed on the bottom wall of the first terminal16. The side wall of the first terminal 16 extends along the inner sidesurface of the mount hole 14 in an unfixed state, and the annularprojection 22 is formed on part of it. The second terminal 18 forms ahollow cylinder having two open end faces, and is fixed near the inletport of the mount hole 14 through its one end portion. The free endportion side of the second terminal 16 extends along the inner sidesurface of the mount hole 14 in an unfixed state toward the bottomportion of the mount hole 14, and the annular projection 24 is formed onpart of it.

The projections 22 and 24 are formed by bending portions of the sidewalls of the cylindrical terminals 16 and 18 inwardly. The terminal 16is made of a thermally deformable known bimetal. When it is heated, theterminal 16 is stretched in the axial direction of the cylindricalshape. Therefore, when the terminal 16 is heated, the projection 22 isretreated by thermal deformation toward the inner side surface of themount hole 14.

The connection plug 32 is mounted in the mount hole 14 of the cigarettelighter socket 12. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, theconnection plug 32 has a frame 34 which is detachably inserted in themount hole 14 of the cigarette lighter socket 12. The frame 34 forms ahollow cylinder having two open end faces in order to form an insertionhole 38 for accepting the pipe 62. At the inlet port-side end portion ofthe insertion hole 38, a flange 36 is formed on the frame 34.

A coil heater 42 is disposed inside the frame 34 so as to substantiallydefine the inner side surface of the insertion hole 38. The coil heater42 is connected to first and second electric contacts 44 and 46 servingas its circuit terminals. The first electric contact 44 forms the bottomportion of the insertion hole 38 and is exposed outside the connectionplug 32 through the opening of the frame 34. The second electric contact46 extends through the side wall of the frame 34 to be exposed outsidethe connection plug 32.

An engaging portion, i.e., an annular groove 52, is formed in the outerside surface of the frame 34 so as to engage with the annular projection22 formed by the first terminal 16 in the mount hole 14. When theconnection plug 32 is located at the mount position in the mount hole 14of the cigarette lighter socket 12, the projection 22 enters the groove52 to lock the connection plug 32. At this time, the first electriccontact 44 comes into contact with the projection 17 of the firstterminal 16, and the second electric contact 46 comes into contact withthe projection 24, constituted by the second terminal 18, whilesqueezing the projection 24.

A coil spring 54 is disposed to wind around the frame 34 near the flange36. One end portion of the coil spring 54 is fixed in a groove 56 formedbetween the annular projection of the flange 36 and the frame. When theconnection plug 32 is locked at the mount position in the mount hole 14,the coil spring 54 is compressed between the casing wall surface, thatsurrounds the inlet port of the mount hole 14, and the flange 36. Hence,a potential-restoration force for moving the connection plug 32 from themount position in the mount hole 14 to disconnect the first and secondterminals 16 and 18 from the first and second electric contacts 44 and46, respectively, is given to the connection plug 32.

An annular projection 58 for locking the pipe 62 is also disposed in theinsertion hole 38 of the connection plug 32. The annular projection 58is formed by bending part of a cylindrical ring, and can elasticallylock the pipe 62.

The pipe 62 has a cylindrical casing 64 having such an outer diameterthat the user can hold the casing 64 in his mouth. The casing 64 has aheat conduction tube 66 and a heat conduction cap 72 each made of aheat-resistant heat-conductive material, e.g., a metal or a ceramic, anda heat-insulating tube 67 and a mouthpiece 68 each made of aheat-resistant heat-insulating material, e.g., a synthetic resin. Thesemembers 66, 67, 68, and 72 are detachably connected to each other withknown connection structures, e.g., screws or fitting pairs. Depending onthe temperature employed, the casing 64 can be made of various types ofmaterials. As the material of the casing 64, for example, paper or pulpcan be used if the employed temperature is equal to or lower than 200°C., a heat-resistant plastic is used if the employed temperature isbetween 200° C. and 400° C., and a ceramic or metal can be used if theemployed temperature is equal to or higher than 400° C.

A plurality of air intake ports 74 for taking in air into the casing 64are formed in the cap 72. In contrast to this, a suction port 76 throughwhich the user inhales the flavor is formed in the end portion of themouthpiece 68. A gas flow path 75 is defined in the casing 64 betweenthe air intake ports 74 and the suction port 76.

An annular groove 78, the two surfaces of which are tapered, is formedin the outer side surface of the casing 64 to correspond to theconnecting portion of the heat conduction tube 66 and heat-insulatingtube 67. When the pipe 62 is located at the insertion position in theinsertion hole 38 of the connection plug 32, the projection 58 entersthe annular groove 78 to lock the pipe 62.

A cover 82 made of a heat-resistant heat-insulating material, e.g., asynthetic resin, is slidably mounted on the casing 64. A coil spring 84is disposed in the cover 82. When no load is applied, the cover 82covers the heat conduction tube 66 and cap 72. However, when the pipe 62is to be locked at the insertion position in the insertion hole 38, thecover 82 is pushed out by the projection 58 against the biasing force ofthe coil spring 84 to a position where it covers the heat-insulatingtube 67. More specifically, in the insertion hole 38, the heatconduction tube 66 directly opposes the coil heater 42.

A laminated heat reservoir 86 is disposed in the heat conduction tube 66to cover the entire inner surface of the heat conduction tube 66, andthe formed body 88 of the solid material serving as the flavorgeneration medium for generating flavor or the like to be inhaled by theuser is detachably stored inside the heat reservoir 86. The formed body88 is positioned as it abuts against a projection 94 formed on the innersurface of the heat conduction tube 66. The heat reservoir 86 is used tomaintain the temperature of the formed body 88 at the flavor generationtemperature for a longer period of time.

The formed body 88 is formed as a dense cylinder having a low airpermeability, and has such a size that no gap is formed between itsouter surface and the inner surface of the heat reservoir 86.Accordingly, a plurality of through holes 92 are formed in the formedbody 88 in the axial direction, and the gas flow path 75 between the airintake ports 74 and suction port 76 is formed through the through holes92.

As the material of the heat reservoir 86, a sensible heat type materialutilizing only the specific heat capacity of a substance, e.g., aninorganic compound such as silica gel, alumina, carbons, glass mat,glass fiber, or minerals; a metal or an alloy such as aluminum, iron,silver, or lead; a cellulose material such as paper or pulp; paper addedwith an inorganic substance or carbon; or metal-laminated paper can beused. As another heat accumulating material, a material utilizing heatof fusion in order to increase the quantity of heat, e.g., a compoundsuch as paraffin, sodium acetate, naphthalene, wax, or polyethyleneoxide, or a metal or an alloy, such as zinc, tin, or solder (soft wax),may be filled in a closed container made of a high heat conductivity.More specifically, when generating aerosol, it is preferable to use asensible heat type material or a material having a melting point of 200°C. to 300° C. and utilizing heat of fusion; and when generating onlyflavor, it is preferable to use a material having a melting point of 50°C. to 200° C. and utilizing heat of fusion.

The formed body 88 of the material serving as the medium that generatesa flavor not by combustion but by heating can contain an extractedmaterial and/or its constituent components of various types of naturalmaterials in accordance with the application purpose. As the flavorsubstance to be contained by the flavor generation medium, for example,menthol, caffeine, a precursor, e.g., glycoside, that generates flavorupon thermal decomposition, or a tobacco component, e.g., a tobaccoextract component or a tobacco smoke condensate component can beemployed. In order to add smoke to the flavor, the flavor generationmedium can contain a material which generates aerosol when heated. Asthe material that generates aerosol, polyols, e.g., glycerin orpropylene glycol, lower alcohols, saccharides, or their mixtures can beused. The flavor generation medium can contain a gas adsorbent, e.g.,activated carbon, silica gel, or activated alumina.

The formed body 88 serving as the flavor generation medium can be formedto such a size that a gap is formed between its outer surface and theinner surface of the heat reservoir 86. The formed body 88 need not be adense material having no air permeability but can be a material having ahigh permeability, e.g., an nonwoven fabric bundle or a fiber bundlemade of activated carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulosederivative fibers. In such a case, no through holes 92 need be formed.

The interior of the heat-insulating tube 67 and mouthpiece 68 serves asa cooling chamber 96 constituting part of the gas flow path 75. A fillercan be disposed in the cooling chamber 96, in particular in theheat-insulating tube 67. When the filler is disposed, the cooling effectof the gasified flavor component can be promoted, and the pressure losscan be adjusted so that the flavor component can be inhaled with anappropriate pressure. As the filler, for example, a fiber formed bodymade of cellulose acetate or pulp, or a particulate matter, e.g., glassor aluminum particles, can be used. An outer air inlet hole can beformed in the side wall of the heat-insulating tube 67. In this case,the heated gas containing the flavor generated by the formed body 88 ismixed with the outer air and is cooled in the cooling chamber 96.

Furthermore, a filter can be disposed in the cooling chamber 96, inparticular in the mouthpiece 68, to cover the suction port 76. When thefilter is disposed, the pressure loss can be adjusted so that the flavorcomponent can be inhaled with an appropriate pressure. The filter can bemade of a general tobacco filter material made of cellulose acetate,pulp, or the like. The filter can contain a gas adsorbent, e.g.,activated carbon, silica gel, or activated alumina.

The operation of the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 1 willbe described.

First, the connection plug 32 is mounted in the mount hole 14 of thecigarette lighter socket 12, and the pipe 62 is inserted in theinsertion hole 38 of the connection plug 32, to realize the state shownin FIG. 1. In this state, the projection 22 of the mount hole 14 entersthe groove 52 of the connection plug 32 to lock the connection plug 32at the mount position. The coil spring 54 is compressed between the wallsurface of the casing surrounding the inlet port of the mount hole 14and the flange 36. The projection 58 of the insertion hole 38 enters thegroove 78 of the pipe 62 to lock the pipe 62 at the insertion position.The cover 82 is pushed outside the insertion hole 38 by the projection58, and the heat conduction tube 66 directly opposes the heater 42.

When the connection plug 32 is placed at the mount position, the firstand second terminals 16 and 18 in the mount hole 14 come into contactwith the first and second electric contacts 44 and 46, respectively, ofthe connection plug 32. Therefore, power is supplied to the coil heater42 of the connection plug 32, and the heat reservoir 86 and formed body88 in the pipe 62 are heated by the heater 42 through the heatconduction tube 66 and cap 72. When the heater 42 is maintained at apredetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, theprojection 22, which is made of a bimetal, in the mount hole 14 isthermally deformed, and is retreated from the groove 52 of theconnection plug 32 to disengage from it. Therefore, because of theaction of the potential-restoration force of the coil spring 54, theconnection plug 32 moves from the mount position and slightly projectsfrom the mount hole 14 integrally with the pipe 62.

Thus, the first and second terminals 16 and 18 are disconnected from thefirst and second electric contacts 44 and 46, respectively, and powersupply to the coil heater 42 is interrupted accordingly. Since theconnection plug 32 projects from the mount hole 14 integrally with thepipe 62, the user senses this audibly or visually, thus knowing thatheating of the pipe 62 is ended.

Subsequently, the pipe 62 is extracted from the connection plug 32, andthe pipe 62 is subjected to inhalation of the flavor or simulatedsmoking. When the pipe 62 is extracted from the connection plug 32, thecover 82 automatically moves to the heat conduction tube 66 side becauseof the action of the coil spring 84, to cover the heat conduction tube66 and cap 72. As a result, the pipe 62 can be used in a safe state. Theformed body 88 is maintained at a flavor generation temperature for along period of time because of the action of the heat reservoir 86.Therefore, the pipe 62 can allow inhalation with a puffing operationmany times. The formed body 88 of the material after use can beexchanged by removing the cap 72.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to another embodiment of the present invention. Thearrangement of this embodiment is similar to that of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, portions of FIG. 3 that are common toFIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1and 2, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, both a heat reservoir 86 and a formedbody 88 of the material form cylinders, and are arranged in series at asmall gap between them along the longitudinal direction of a casing 64.The heat reservoir 86 is fixed in a heat conduction cap 72 and can beremoved together with it. A plurality of through holes 87 are formed inthe heat reservoir 86 along the axial direction to be aligned with airintake ports 74. The through holes 87 of the heat reservoir 86 andthrough holes 92 of the formed body 88 are arranged to be slightlyshifted from each other. A coil heater 42 is arranged mainly to becloser to the heat conduction cap 72 and can heat the end face of thecap 72 as well.

The operation of the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 3 isbasically the same as that of the flavor generation instrument shown inFIG. 1. This will be summarized. First, in the state shown in FIG. 3,the heat reservoir 86 and formed body 88 in a pipe 62 are heated by thecoil heater 42, disposed in a connection plug 32, through a heatconduction tube 66 and the cap 72. When the heater 42 maintains apredetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, aprojection 22 of a mount hole 14 is thermally deformed to be retreated.The connection plug 32 is moved from the mount position by the action ofthe potential-restoration force of a coil spring 54 and slightlyprojects from the mount hole 14 integrally with the pipe 62.Subsequently, the pipe 62 is extracted from the connection plug 32, sothat it can be subjected to inhalation of the flavor or simulatedsmoking.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment is different from the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 in many respects, e.g., in a connection plug 132 and a pipe 162.However, in FIG. 4, portions that are common to FIGS. 1 and 2 aredenoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, the flavor generation article corresponds to thepipe 162 incorporating a formed body 88, a heat reservoir 86, anelectric heater 172, and the like. The flavor generation instrument isconstituted by the pipe 162 and an external power supply mechanismincluding the connection plug 132, which supplies a voltage to the pipe162, and a socket 12. As described above, as the socket 12, aconventionally used cigarette lighter socket 12 can be used.

The connection plug 132 has a frame 134 which is detachably inserted ina mount hole 14 of the cigarette lighter socket 12. The frame 134 formsa hollow cylinder having two open end faces in order to form aninsertion hole 138 for accepting the pipe 162. At the inlet port sideend portion of the insertion hole 138, a flange 136 is formed on theframe 134.

The connection plug 132 has first and second electrodes 142 and 146supported by the frame 134. The first electrode 142 forms a hollowcylinder having a bottom portion and is fixed to the end portion of theframe 134. The first electrode 142 forms the bottom portion of theinsertion hole 138 and is exposed outside the connection plug 132 fromthe opening of the frame 134. The second electrode 146 is annular and isfixed to partially extend through the side wall of the frame 134. Thesecond electrode 146 is exposed outside the connection plug 132 and hasan electrode pad 148 projecting into the insertion hole 138.

The side wall of the first electrode 142 extends along the inner sidesurface of the insertion hole 138 in an unfixed state, and an annularprojection 144 is formed on part of it. The projection 144 is formed bybending part of the side wall of the cylindrical first electrode 142inwardly. The first electrode 142 is made of a thermally deformableknown bimetal. When it is heated, the first electrode 142 is stretchedin the axial direction of the cylindrical shape. Therefore, when thefirst electrode 142 is heated, the projection 144 is retreated bythermal deformation toward the inner side surface of the insertion hole138.

An engaging portion, i.e., an annular groove 152, is formed in the outerside surface of the frame 134 so as to engage with a projection 22formed by a first terminal 16 in the mount hole 14. When the connectionplug 132 is located at the mount position in the mount hole 14 of thecigarette lighter socket 12, the projection 22 enters the groove 152 tolock the connection plug 132. At this time, the first electrode 142comes into contact with a projection 17 of the first terminal 16, andthe second electrode 146 comes into contact with the projection 24,constituted by a second terminal 18, while squeezing the projection 24.

A projection 158 for positioning the pipe 162 and pushing out a cover 82is also disposed in the insertion hole 138 of the connection plug 132.The projection 158 is formed by bending part of a cylindrical ring, andcan elastically position the pipe 162.

The pipe 162 has a cylindrical casing 64 having such an outer diameterthat the user can hold the casing 64 in his mouth. The casing 64 has aheat conduction tube 66 made of a heat-resistant heat-conductivematerial, e.g., a metal or a ceramic, a heat-insulating tube 67 and amouthpiece 68 each made of a heat-resistant heat-insulating material,e.g., a synthetic resin, and a cap 164 made of a heat-resistantelectric-insulating material, e.g., a synthetic resin. These members 66,67, 68, and 164 are detachably connected to each other with knownconnection structures, e.g., screws or fitting pairs.

A plurality of air intake ports 74 for taking in air into the casing 64are formed in the cap 164. In contrast to this, a suction port 76through which the user inhales the flavor is formed in the end portionof the mouthpiece 68. A gas flow path 75 is defined in the casing 64between the air intake ports 74 and the suction port 76.

The coil heater 172 is disposed at the center of the heat conductiontube 66 in the axial direction. The coil heater 172 is connected tofirst and second electric contacts 174 and 176 serving as its circuitterminals. The first electric contact 174 forms a circular disk and isexposed outside the pipe 162 at the center of the end face of the cap164. The first electric contact 174 is fixed to the cap 164, and isdisconnected from the heater 172 when removing the cap 164. The secondelectric contact 176 forms a cylinder and is fitted and fixed in theouter side surface of the heat conduction tube 66.

The hollow cylindrical heat reservoir 86 is disposed to cover the coilheater 172, and the formed body 88 of the solid material for generatingflavor or the like to be inhaled by the user is detachably mounted onthe heat reservoir 86. The formed body 88 has such a size that a gap isformed between it and the inner surface of the heat conduction tube 66.Accordingly, the gas flow path 75 between the air intake ports 74 andsuction port 76 is formed through this gap. As the materials of the heatreservoir 86 and formed body 88, those that are mentioned in connectionof the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

An annular groove 166 is formed in the outer side surface of the heatconduction tube 66. When the pipe 162 is located at the insertionposition in the insertion hole 138 of the connection plug 132, theprojection 144 of the first electrode 142 enters the groove 166 to lockthe pipe 162. At this time, the first electric contact 174 comes intocontact with the first electrode 144, and the second electric contact176 comes into contact with the electrode pad 148 of the secondelectrode 146.

The cover 82 made of a heat-resistant heat-insulating material, e.g., asynthetic resin, is slidably mounted on the casing 64. A coil spring 84is disposed in the cover 82. When no load is applied, the cover 82covers the heat conduction tube 66. However, when the pipe 162 is lockedat the insertion position in the insertion hole 138, the cover 82 ispushed out by the projection 158 against the biasing force of the coilspring 84 to the position where it covers the heat-insulating tube 67.Hence, a potential-restoration force for moving the pipe 162 from theinsertion position in the insertion hole 138 to disconnect the first andsecond electrodes 142 and 146 from the first and second electriccontacts 174 and 176, respectively, is given to the pipe 162.

The operation of the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 4 willbe described.

First, the connection plug 132 is mounted in the mount hole 14 of thecigarette lighter socket 12, and the pipe 162 is inserted in theinsertion hole 138 of the connection plug 132, to realize the stateshown in FIG. 4. In this state, the projection 22 of the mount hole 14enters the groove 152 of the connection plug 32 to lock the connectionplug 132 at the mount position. The projection 144 of the insertion hole138 enters the groove 166 of the pipe 162 to lock the pipe 162 at theinsertion position. The cover 82 is pushed outside the insertion hole138 by the projection 158, and the coil spring 84 is compressed in thecover 82.

When the connection plug 132 and pipe 162 are placed at the mount andinsertion positions, respectively, the first and second terminals 16 and18 in the mount hole 14 are connected to the first and second electriccontacts 174 and 176 of the pipe 162 through the first and secondelectrodes 142 and 146 of the connection plug 132, respectively. Poweris supplied to the coil heater 172 of the pipe 162, and the heatreservoir 86 and formed body 88 are heated by the heater 172. When theheater 172 maintains a predetermined temperature for a predeterminedperiod of time, the projection 144, which is made of a bimetal, in theinsertion hole 138 is thermally deformed, to be retreated to disengagefrom the groove 166 of the pipe 162. Therefore, because of the action ofthe potential-restoration force of the coil spring 84, the pipe 162moves from the insertion position to project from the insertion hole 138leaving the connection plug 132 behind.

The first and second electrodes 142 and 146 are then disconnected fromthe first and second electric contacts 174 and 176, respectively, andpower supply to the coil heater 172 is interrupted. Since the pipe 162projects from the insertion hole 138, the user senses this audibly orvisually, thus knowing that heating of the pipe 162 is ended.

Subsequently, the pipe 162 is disconnected from the connection plug 132,and the pipe 162 is subjected to inhalation of the flavor or simulatedsmoking. The cover 82 automatically moves to the heat conduction tube 66side because of the action of the coil spring 84, to cover the heatconduction tube 66. As a result, the pipe 162 can be used in a safestate. The formed body 88 is maintained at a flavor generationtemperature for a long period of time because of the action of the heatreservoir 86. Therefore, the pipe 162 can allow inhalation with apuffing operation many times. The formed body 188 of the material afteruse can be exchanged by removing the cap 164.

In the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 4, the heat conductiontube 66 is made of a material having a high heat conductivity in orderto thermally actuate the projection 144 made of a bimetal. However, ifthe thermal sensitivity of the projection 144 is improved, the tube 66can be made of a material, the heat conductivity of which is not sohigh. If the connection plug 132 itself is disposed with a means forcausing the projection 144 to retreat under a predetermined condition,e.g., a combined structure of a heater and a timer, the tube 66 can bemade of a heat-insulating material. When the pipe 162 is to be manuallypulled out from the connection plug 132 as well, the tube 66 can be madeof a heat-insulating material. In this case, the cover 82 incorporatingthe coil spring 84 becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention. The arrangement of this embodiment is similar to that of theembodiment shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, in FIG. 5, portions that arecommon to FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.4, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a coil heater 172 is disposed to windaround an elongated heat reservoir 86, and a formed body 88 of thematerial forms a hollow cylinder to surround the coil heater 172. Theformed body 88 is formed to such a size that no gap is formed between itand the inner surface of a heat conduction tube 66. Accordingly, a gasflow path 75 between air intake ports 74 and a suction port 76 is formedthrough a central through hole of the formed body 88.

The operation of the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 5 isbasically the same as that of the flavor generation instrument shown inFIG. 4. This will be summarized. First, in the state shown in FIG. 5,the heat reservoir 86 and formed body 88 in a pipe 162 are heated by thecoil heater 172. When the heater 172 maintains a predeterminedtemperature for a predetermined period of time, a projection 144 of aninsertion hole 138 is thermally deformed to be retreated. The pipe 162is moved from the insertion position by the action of thepotential-restoration force of a coil spring 84 and projects from theinsertion hole 138. Subsequently, the pipe 162 is disconnected from aconnection plug 132, so that it can be subjected to inhalation of theflavor or simulated smoking.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a flavor generation article andinstrument according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention. The characteristic feature of the flavor generationinstrument of this embodiment resides in that it does not use aconnection plug 132 but a pipe 162 is directly mounted on a socket 12,e.g., a cigarette lighter socket 12. However, the pipe 162 itself issubstantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, in FIG. 6,portions that are common to FIG. 4 are denoted by the same referencenumerals as in FIG. 4, and a detailed description thereof will beomitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when the pipe 162 is located at themount position in a mount hole 14 of the cigarette lighter socket 12, aprojection 22 of a first terminal 16 enters an annular groove 166,formed in the outer side surface of a heat conduction tube 66, to lockthe pipe 162. At this time, a first electric contact 174 comes intocontact with a projection 17 of the first terminal 16, and a secondelectric contact 176 comes into contact with a projection 24,constituted by a second terminal 18, while squeezing the projection 24.

When the pipe 162 is locked at the mount position in the mount hole 14,a cover 82 is pushed out by the wall surface of the casing, whichsurrounds the inlet port of the mount hole 14, against the biasing forceof a coil spring 84 to a position where it covers a heat-insulating tube67. Hence, a potential-restoration force for moving the pipe 162 fromthe mount position in the mount hole 14 to disconnect the first andsecond terminals 16 and 18 from the first and second electric contacts174 and 176, respectively, is given to the pipe 162.

The operation of the flavor generation instrument shown in FIG. 6 willbe summarized. First, in the state shown in FIG. 6, a heat reservoir 86and a formed body 88 in the pipe 162 are heated by a coil heater 172.When the heater 172 maintains a predetermined temperature for apredetermined period of time, the projection 22 of the mount hole 14 isthermally deformed to be retreated. The pipe 162 is moved from the mountposition by the action of the potential-restoration force of the coilspring 84 and projects from the mount hole 14. Subsequently, the pipe162 is disconnected from the cigarette lighter socket 12, so that it canbe subjected to inhalation of the flavor or simulated smoking.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 also may be altered such that the heater172 is wound around the elongated heat reservoir 86 and that the formedbody 88 of the material forms a hollow cylinder to surround the heater172, as shown in FIG. 5.

The present invention has been described by way of its preferredembodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The present inventioncan be practiced in various embodiments other than those shown in thedrawings within the scope of the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flavor generation device comprising:a casing having an air intake port for taking in air into said casing and a suction port through which a user inhales the flavor, and forming a gas flow path between said air intake port and said suction port; a flavor generation medium disposed in said casing to be exposed to said gas flow path and containing a flavor component, said flavor generation medium emitting said flavor component upon being heated; and a heat reservoir disposed in said casing to accumulate heat energy and heat said flavor generation medium with heat energy, wherein said casing has a heat conduction wall made of a heat-resistant heat-conductive material and is arranged to surround said heat reservoir, and a heat-insulating wall made of a heat-insulating material, said heat conduction wall being disposed between said air intake port and said heat insulating wall, and said heat insulating wall being disposed between said heat conduction wall and said suction port.
 2. The flavor generation device according to claim 1, wherein said flavor generation medium comprises a formed body of a solid material containing said flavor component and is arranged adjacent to said heat reservoir.
 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a heat-insulating cover slidably mounted on said casing to selectively cover said heat conduction wall.
 4. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a spring configured to provide said cover with a biasing force toward a position at which said cover covers said heat conduction wall.
 5. A flavor generation device comprising:(a) an external heating mechanism including an insertion hole for accepting and heating an elongated body, and a heater disposed along said insertion hole; and (b) a flavor generation article detachably inserted in said insertion hole of said external heating mechanism, said flavor generation article comprising an incombustible casing having an air intake port for taking in air into said casing and a suction port through which a user inhales the flavor, and forming a gas flow path between said air intake port and said suction port, a flavor generation medium disposed in said casing to be exposed to said gas flow path and containing a flavor component, said flavor generation medium emitting said flavor component upon being heated, and a heat reservoir disposed in said casing to accumulate heat energy and heat said flavor generation medium with the heat energy, said heat reservoir being arranged to receive the heat energy from said heater when said flavor generation article is inserted in said insertion hole of said external heating mechanism.
 6. The flavor generation device according to claim 5, wherein said flavor generation medium comprises a formed body of a solid material containing said flavor component and is arranged adjacent to said heat reservoir.
 7. The flavor generation device according to claim 5, wherein said heater comprises an electric heater.
 8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said casing has a heat conduction wall made of a heat-resistant heat-conductive material and arranged to be heated by said heater of said external heating mechanism, and a heat-insulating wall made of a heat-insulating material, said heat conduction wall being arranged between said air intake port and said heat-insulating wall, and said heat-insulating wall being arranged between said heat conduction wall and said suction port.
 9. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanism configured to correlate an attaching/detaching operation of said flavor generation article in/from said insertion hole of said external heating mechanism and an on/off operation of said electric heater.
 10. A flavor generation device comprising:(a) an external power supply mechanism including an insertion hole for accepting and heating an elongated body, and first and second terminals connected to a power supply and arranged in said insertion hole; and (b) a flavor generation article detachably inserted in said insertion hole of said external power supply mechanism, said flavor generation article comprising an incombustible casing having an air intake port for taking in air into said casing and a suction port through which a user inhales the flavor, and forming a gas flow path between said air intake port and said suction port, a flavor generation medium disposed in said casing to be exposed to said gas flow path and containing a flavor component, said flavor generation medium emitting said flavor component upon being heated, a heat reservoir disposed in said casing to accumulate heat energy and heat said flavor generation medium with the heat energy, an electric heater disposed in said casing to supply the heat energy to said heat reservoir, and first and second electric contacts exposed outside said casing and serving as circuit terminals of said electric heater, said first and second electric contacts coming into contact with said first and second terminals, respectively, when said flavor generation article is inserted in said insertion hole of said external heating mechanism.
 11. The flavor generation device according to claim 10, wherein said flavor generation medium comprises a formed body of a solid material containing said flavor component and is arranged adjacent to said heat reservoir.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said formed body is arranged to be detachably disposed in said casing, and to surround said heat reservoir and said electric heater.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said heat reservoir comprises a hollow body in which said electric heater is disposed.
 14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said electric heater comprises a coil heater which is wound around said heat reservoir.
 15. A flavor generation device comprising:a casing having an air intake port for taking air into said casing and a suction port through which a user inhales the flavor, and forming a gas flow path between said air intake port and said suction port; a flavor generation medium disposed in said casing to be exposed to said gas flow path and containing a flavor component, said flavor generation medium emitting said flavor component upon being heated, said flavor generation medium including a formed body of a solid material containing said flavor component; a heat reservoir disposed in said casing to accumulate heat energy and heat said flavor generation medium with heat energy; and an electric heater disposed in said casing to supply heat energy to said heat reservoir wherein said formed body is arranged adjacent to said heat reservoir to be detachably disposed in said casing, and to surround said heat reservoir and said electric heater.
 16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising a power supply configured to sup-ply electrical energy to said electric heater.
 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein said heat reservoir comprises a hollow body in which said electric heater is disposed.
 18. The device according to claim 15, wherein said electric heater comprises a coil heater which is wound around said heat reservoir. 